Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-04-10
A DUNGEON CELL.
rHx IaHesToN-RUFprH KILLING CASE
IN TIE MAYORS COURT.
The Prisoner Sent On for Trial Scenes In
the Court Room Suit for
Damages. &c.
Correspondents Of tho Richmond Dispatch

Correspondence Of tho Richmond Dispatch
PETERSBURG, VA, April 9, 1887.
The preliminary examination OF
Frank M. Langston. charged with the
murder OF John III. Rufiin (colored),
took place in the Mayors Court to-day,
and consumed several hours time. The
accused is only abouttwenty- five years OF
age and is very youthful in appearance:
His father, John Mercer Langston, sat
by his side during the examination,
and Messrs.> Alexander Hamilton and
William II. Mckinney appeared as his
counsel The Commonwealth Wit
nesses were thoroughly examined and
cross-examined, and testimony for the
defencewas reserved for the higher court.
No facts Of importance in addition TO
those heretofore published were elicit
ed. Young LaDgston was sent on to
the April term of the Hastings Court
for indictment and trial, and was COM
mitted to Jail. No request was made
for bail.
The courtroom and the corridor out
side were packed almost to sulffocation
during the examination-mostly by the
friends Of the prisoner and OF the de-
ceased. An over-crowded bench broke
beneath the weight upon it, throwing
the occupants upon the the people in
front. The crash and the confusion
resulting interrupted the proceedings
OF the court for awhile and caused
considerable connection. Fortunately
no one wns hurt. Subsequently an
other momentary excitement was pro-
duced by the fall of q colored man,
who had tainted by reason OF the heat
and. close atmosphere of the room.
Langston appears cheerful and in
good spirits. Apparently, from indi-
cations developed during the examina-
ton, stress will be laid by the defence
upon the effect of the operation per-
formed by the physicians upon Rutfin,
which, it may be claimed, caused death.
The physicians testify that the opera
ton, which consisted in opening the
abdomen and sewing up the wounded
intestines, was the only chance of saving
the victims life. Ruffin was told of
this before the operation was per-
formed.
The suit of William E. Hinton, Jr.,
against the Norfolk and Western Rail
road Company for damages laid at
5000, which has been on trial for two
or three days in the Circuit Court OF
Nottoway county, was given to the
jury last night, and verdict subse-
quently rendered for the railroad COM
pany. This was a suit for damages by
Mr.. Hinton for refusal to allow him 10
travel on freight train.
The Petersburg Guards, the oldest
colored military company in this city,
will celebrate the fourteenth ami
versary o: their organization on Easter
Monday. The company will also take
part in the national drill at Washing
ton.
The sales of loose tobacco at the ware
houses in this city during the week were
rather lighter than usual, aggregating
somewhat over eco, 900 pounds. The e1-
ports of manufactured tobacco for the
week were between 90, 900 and 100, 900
pounds.
The Board of Directors of the Young
Mems Christian Association held a
meeting last night, at which very en-
couraging reports of the work of the
association were presented. A COM
mittee was appointed to organize la
dies auxiliary in connection with the
work, and this will be done at once.
RoRTS ADAIR